10 Rules Of Thumb For Hockey Analysts

The point of hockey is to create goal differential. The point of hockey analysis is to find ways to improve it.

Shot differentials today is goal differentials tomorrow.

100-10-1. 100 minutes of your time to create data, 10 minutes of the coach’s time to digest the data, 1 minute of the player’s time to absorb the data.

Optimise workload, reduce uncertainty.

If your findings are either always or never surprising, then review your methodology. 80/20 (in favor of confirming existing beliefs) is a good place to start.

Your priority is to help the coach get a better night’s sleep and to help players maximise their experience.

Know your place, but stand your ground.

We are all on the same team.

Who you compete against influences your results; who you work with dictates your destiny.

The job is only done when you’ve trained someone to make you expendable.

Jack Han is the Video & Analytics Coordinator for the McGill Martlet Hockey team (not his full-time job). He also writes occasionally about the NHL for Habs Eyes on the Prize. You can find him on Twitter or on the ice at McConnell Arena.